The other day I was saying how my horse is my best friend I had ever had. But others thought different they told me that there's no way that an animal could ever be are so called 'best friends" since they really don't understand us. To tell you the truth I think my 4 cats, 5 dogs, and six horses understand me plenty. I had just moved recently and I think that they really kept me together.

This my sound wierd but I watch animal planet and I've seen plenty of good relationships between humans and animals.

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My homeland is the grasslands home of the Karaya tribe just one of the six clans.The with the Zexens is still on after loosing my best friend I was forced to go to the duck clan village. There I met Lilly and her crew. I promised to take them the Lizard Clan' Great Hallow (where my family was hiding). After we get there there seemed to be a fighting going on between the rest of my clan (Karayan), the lizard clan and the iron heads. After the battle settled I have to go to the Lake Castle. There is were we all get separeted. Going to another one of the clan's villages I met the women that killed my best friend, Lulu, Lady Chris fighting for our clans.Favorite saying: "Married is a Bliss to women misfortune to men"

Now that is a question of the ages, one that has been debated over the mellenia, and will probably be debated until the end of time.

William Francis Butler was a 19th century arctic explorer who wrote "A good dog is so much a nobler beast than an indifferent man that one sometimes gladly exchanges the society of one for that of the other.? I can relate to that statement as I trust and like my dogs moreso than I trust or like most people.

I'll concede that animals probably don't understand us, but understanding is not a prerequisite of friendship. Heck, much of the time I really don't understand my wife, but I love her none-the-less, even in her most hen-headed moments. I know she feels the same as she has said so.

My dogs probably don't understand why we drive to the post office or to town, but they don't care. They are absolutely delighted to go for a ride and spend some time with me. They certainly don't understand why they are harnessed to pull a cart or sled but they don't care. They are happy to just get out on the trail and run.

Indeed loving someone or something you don't understand may be the ultimate expression of friendship.

Animals relate to us differently than do other humans, and sometimes more reliably than humans. Human affection is often conditional, others may be friendly only so long as our behavior and attitude meets their approval. Since animals don't understand our behavoir and attitudes in the first place, their loyalty seems to be unconditional. In some ways it's a sad state of affairs, in that a dog will "love' an abusive ownder as unconditionally as it would a loving owner.

I know Buffy has an amazing understanding of English. I can talk to her without using tone of voice, gestures, or body language, and she knows exactly what I'm saying to her. I can say a thousand words, and when I say the right one, she lets me know she understands, by cocking her head and perking her ears. Like this.

When she wants to tell me something, she stands in front of me to get my attention, or sits in my line of sight and stares at me. I ask her a series of questions, and when the right one is asked, she tells me. Be it, a drink, to pee, play, or just to be let outside to get some fresh air, she will ignore the others until I get it right. (so patient) If she wants on her couch, she sits facing the couch, or rests her chin on the cushion until I say, 'Up on the couch'.

Here's a list of things she understands to date.

The 'Wanna's'go pee''go poo''go to the park''go outside''drink''go for a walk''treat''ice'

'want some nummies' (food)

The 'Git'cher's or 'Where's yer's'Teddy''Rope''Ball''Boots on' (she still doesn't know what I'm saying there. It's what I say when we're going outside to do something fun)'Bone'

'who's there' followed by 'Go see' (where she goes to the front picture window to see who's here)'Who's home' (for when Ange gets home. The difference is, she barks at the first, and whines by the door for the second)

'gimme hug' (she'll put her head down and lean into me)'gimme kiss' (obvious)

'go lay down''down''up''eat'

When she's in trouble'In your bed' (she goes to her dog house)'What's this' (when she gets into something she shouldn't, or destroys something)'quiet'

Then there are the common Sit, Stay, Lay down, On your side, etc.

If she pretends to not hear me, or just won't do as she's told I ask 'what did I say', and she does it quite promtly.

No one can tell me my dog doesn't understand me. This doesn't even touch the way she can read my emotions and react accordingly.

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Caw

"I am a Canadian by birth, but I am a Highlander by blood and feel under an obligation to do all I can for the sake of the Highlanders and their literature.... I have never yet spoken a word of English to any of my children. They can speak as much English as they like to others, but when they talk to me they have to talk in Gaelic."

I cannot speak for other animals, but I have had dogs for my whole life. I know they have affection for the people around them. We just become part of his pack.

As far as what we say to our dogs, we use all the normal ones "outside", "walk" ect. But for some reason the word "ROBOT" make him go crazy. Me and my roommate have no idea why. Even if he hears the word robot in TV he will look up, but if we say it he run all over the place ))). It does not even sound like other things he understands. This weekend I am going to go out and get him one of the robosapienshttp://www.wowwee.com/robosapien/robo1/robomain.html. I cannot wait to se what he does.

My horse when ever I'm upset or trying to hide I go and be with him. I'll let him in the areana and let him run around but when he sees I'm not chasing him he comes over and starts playing with my hair or stompping his foot. I must say I do fill better after riding him and giving him a hug or chasing me. But some how I think e knows and understands certain things

Now that is a question of the ages, one that has been debated over the mellenia, and will probably be debated until the end of time.

William Francis Butler was a 19th century arctic explorer who wrote "A good dog is so much a nobler beast than an indifferent man that one sometimes gladly exchanges the society of one for that of the other.? I can relate to that statement as I trust and like my dogs moreso than I trust or like most people.

I'll concede that animals probably don't understand us, but understanding is not a prerequisite of friendship. Heck, much of the time I really don't understand my wife, but I love her none-the-less, even in her most hen-headed moments. I know she feels the same as she has said so.

My dogs probably don't understand why we drive to the post office or to town, but they don't care. They are absolutely delighted to go for a ride and spend some time with me. They certainly don't understand why they are harnessed to pull a cart or sled but they don't care. They are happy to just get out on the trail and run.

Indeed loving someone or something you don't understand may be the ultimate expression of friendship.

Animals relate to us differently than do other humans, and sometimes more reliably than humans. Human affection is often conditional, others may be friendly only so long as our behavior and attitude meets their approval. Since animals don't understand our behavoir and attitudes in the first place, their loyalty seems to be unconditional. In some ways it's a sad state of affairs, in that a dog will "love' an abusive ownder as unconditionally as it would a loving owner.

How very eloquent, Swanny. I don't believe I have ever heard it said better. I agree with you 100%!!

I do think animals are our best friends. Most of all I love horses. After going to the barn after a bad day the horses make me feel alot better. Some of them do tricks and they are so smart. they stand up , sit down , smile , wave , nod their heads yes and no , bow , lay down , spanish walk (dressage) and they stand up on a stool and wave + smile at the same time. they are all so much fun and i love doing the tricks with them. They seem more human then horse. Sometimes I think they understand us more than people do. I'm looking forward to summer. We go out on the roads with dark cherokee AKA D.C and Keyote in carts and everyone points and smiles. We live in a town thats turning into a city its also the only horse stable in town. We actually cause traffic! The horses love going out for a drive and so don't we. Their is 9 horses in total Cherokee , Midnight , Classic Lady , Keyote , Sassy , Misty , Adromider, D.C , and one donkey named Poco. sadly in november Isis had to be put down. Although she was young she could Bareley breathe. I miss her very much. Animals Are so much fun I don't think I could live without them!

In my beliefs everything living ( and that include somethings that most do not consider living, if it is organic it lives! ) has a spirit or soul , it is the continuem of the universal spark. We all exist in what has gone before and what will follow. Our animals are souls that have lived or will live and are at stages of "life" different then our own, but can be friends, confidants, and soul mates. I see life as a continuing challange for souls ( spirits ) and the goal is to reach the understanding and compassion to realize that everything is life and everything shuld be treated as if it were you! To answer in one word: YES!

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I support the separation of church and hate!

IMAGINATION - the freest and largest nation in the world!

One can not profess to be of "GOD" and show intolerence and prejudice towards the beliefs of others.

Am fear nach gleidh na h–airm san t–sith, cha bhi iad aige ’n am a’ chogaidh.He that keeps not his arms in time of peace will have none in time of war.

"We're all in this together , in the parking lot between faith and fear" ... O.C.M.S.

“Beasts feed; man eats; only the man of intellect knows how to eat well.”

"Without food we are nothing, without history we are lost." - SHADOWS

Is iomadh duine laghach a mhill an Creideamh.Religion has spoiled many a good man.

I think those of us who love animals are the most sensitive of people. I believe that our pets do understand us. They love us unconditionally and give us great comfort. They help comfort the sick and they are known to help speed up recovery of the sick. I have even known them to grieve when the human they love so much is gone from them or passes away.